Tag: GS-1
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La Nina and North India’s pollution
Context: Recent research by the National Institute of Advanced Science (NIAS) highlights the complex relationship between climate change, La Niña, and air quality in India. La Niña’s Impact on Delhi’s Pollution Levels: Late Retreat of Monsoon and Delayed La Niña: La Niña typically strengthens monsoons and brings dynamic atmospheric circulation that helps disperse pollutants. …
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Jimmy Carter
Context: Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924. About: He served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. His early life was marked by a background in farming and military service as a submariner in the US Navy. After returning to Georgia, he entered politics and was elected…
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Annie Besant
Context: 177th Birth Anniversary of Annie Besant. About: Annie Besant was a significant figure in the socio-religious reform movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly known for her contributions to women’s rights, education, and the Indian independence movement. Contributions to Socio-Religious Reforms: Women’s Rights and Education: Annie Besant was a…
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Community-Oriented Flood Forecast System Launched in Kerala
Context: On September 28, 2024, a decentralised, community-oriented, and impact-based flood forecast and early warning system was launched for the Periyar and Chalakudy river basins in Kerala. This innovative system enhances disaster preparedness, rescue operations, and flood mitigation, especially for disaster-prone areas affected by recurring floods since the devastating 2018 deluge. Key Features of…
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La Niña and Its Impact on North India’s Winter Air Quality
This analysis of Gufran Beig’s article titled “The La Niña’s Shadow” in The Indian Express (October 1, 2024), explains how La Niña affects North India’s winter weather and air quality in complicated and unpredictable ways. These effects are made worse by climate change and activities like stubble burning. Because of this, we need to focus…
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Rumi
Context: Rumi was born Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi on September 30, 1207. About: Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, Sufi mystic, and Islamic scholar. He is renowned for his profound spiritual insights and his ability to transcend cultural and religious boundaries through his poetry. Rumi’s works have had a lasting impact on Indian art…
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Mantagini Hazra
Context: 82nd Death Anniversary of freedom fighter Mantagini Hazra. About: Matangini Hazra, affectionately known as “Gandhi Buri” (Old Lady Gandhi), was a significant figure in the Indian freedom struggle, particularly noted for her fearless participation during the Quit India Movement. Born on October 19, 1869, in Hogla, West Bengal, she emerged from humble…
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Rajah Annamalai Chettiar
Context: 143rd Birth Anniversary of Rajah Annamalai Chettiar. About: Rajah Annamalai Chettiar, also known as Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, was a prominent Indian industrialist, banker, educationist, and philanthropist from Tamil Nadu. Contributions: Founding of Annamalai University: Annamalai Chettiar established Annamalai University in 1929 in Chidambaram. This institution has played a vital role in…
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India’s Fight Against Food Waste: Strategies, Challenges, and the Path Forward
This essay critically examines the article “Food That Doesn’t Feed” by Ashok Gulati and Raya Das, published in The Indian Express on September 30, 2024, arguing that while India’s food wastage reduction strategies present promising solutions by addressing post-harvest losses, cold chain infrastructure, and farm mechanisation, their success depends on overcoming financial, environmental, and cultural…
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Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Thinker and Ideologue
Introduction: Bhagat Singh, one of India’s most iconic revolutionaries, was a radical thinker who combined armed struggle with deep ideological beliefs. His writings covered communalism, religion, inequality, and revolution, holding relevance even today. Early Life and Education Birth: Born on 26th September 1907 in a Sandhu Jat family in Punjab’s Jullundur Doab district. Influences:…
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Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement: A Legacy of Social Transformation
Inspired by the centenary article “Keep the Fire of the Self-Respect Movement Going” (The Hindu, September 28, 2024) by Manuraj Shunmugasundaram and Vignesh Karthik K.R., this analysis spotlights E.V. Ramasamy, known as Periyar, whose leadership of the Self-Respect Movement profoundly transformed Indian society by challenging caste discrimination, advocating for gender equality, and promoting rationalism to…
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Sponge Cities
Context: Urbanisation and climate change have intensified risks like sea-level rise, floods, and extreme heat, demanding adaptation efforts from governments.Nature-based solutions (NbS) are gaining global adoption, with China promoting sponge cities since 2014 to improve flood resilience. About Sponge Cities: Sponge cities are urban areas designed to absorb rainwater through natural spaces like trees,…
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Tripartite Pact
Context: The Tripartite Pact was signed on 27th September 1940. About: The Tripartite Pact, also known as the Berlin Pact, was an agreement between Germany, Italy, and Japan signed during World War II. It created a defensive military alliance between the three countries, with the primary goal of deterring the United States from entering…
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Ladakh: Battling the Dual Threats of Climate Change and Overtourism
Context: Ladakh, a high-altitude cold desert region nestled between the towering peaks of the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, known for its breathtaking landscapes and unique biodiversity, is facing significant environmental challenges. More on News: Depiction of the snow leopard encounter in Ladakh perfectly captures the region’s stark beauty and the profound impact of climate…
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Global Warming and Its Impact on Weather Forecasting: The Path to Reliable Predictions
This essay, based on Professor Raghu Murtugudde’s article “How Global Warming Affects Forecasting” (The Hindu, September 26, 2024), highlights how global warming is altering weather patterns and complicating forecasts, especially for cyclones, monsoons, and El Niño, despite technological advancements, requiring meteorologists to improve models, use new data, and collaborate globally. Introduction As the world…
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Koodiyattam
Context: ‘Cholliyattom,’ a collective of young Koodiyattam artists in Kerala, began modestly during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since grown into a platform where artists from different Koodiyattam traditions come together to preserve the art form and share knowledge about the diverse techniques practised by various schools in the state. More on News Recently,…
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Bhikaji Cama
Context: Bhikaji Cama, also known as Madam Cama, was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, born on September 24, 1861, in Mumbai. About: She belonged to a wealthy Parsi family and was deeply influenced by the nationalist sentiments of her time. Due to her significant contributions to India’s struggle for freedom from…
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Earth’s Ancient Ring: A Glimpse into the Past
Context: A recent study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters suggests that Earth may have once had a ring similar to those of Saturn, formed around 466 million years ago. More on News: This ring likely originated when an asteroid passed close to Earth, breaking apart under its gravitational pull and creating a…
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Anand Mohan Bose
Context: Anand Mohan Bose was born on September 23, 1847, in Bengal and was deeply influenced by the socio-political climate of his time. Bose advocated for the rights of Indians under British colonial rule and played a significant role in mobilising public opinion against colonial injustices. He was a prominent figure in the Indian freedom…
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Large Ocean Heat Storage Efficiency During the Last Deglaciation
Context: A recent study published in Science Advances by an international team of scientists from China and the U.S. has explored the mechanisms behind ocean heat uptake and storage. More on News: The researchers combined advanced deglacial simulations with proxy-based reconstructions to analyse three-dimensional changes in ocean temperature during the last deglaciation. Their findings…
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Places in News: Malta
Context: Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1964, after more than 150 years of British rule. About: Malta is an island country located in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 80 km south of Italy, 284 km east of Tunisia, and 333 km north of Libya. It consists of an archipelago that…